Beaming after leading Rajasthan Royals to their first win in the Indian Premier League via 'Super Over', power-hitter Yusuf Pathan said it would remain the most important knock of his career.
"I knew I can do the job in the 'Super Over' and I'm happy that I did it for my team," the allrounder said.
"This is surely the most important knock of my career. I batted well in the first innings and then in Super Over; and it gives me immense joy," said the towering allrounder who was adjudged Man of the Match for his sterling role in the team's win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Pathan had hit a blistering 42 for the Royals before falling to Ajantha Mendis. The allrounder said he learnt from his dismissal and anticipated where Mendis would bowl in Super Over.
"I did learn from my dismissal and expected him to bowl in certain areas, which he did and I was ready for that," he said.
Royals captain Shane Warne sprang a surprise by opening the bowling with Pathan and the allrounder said he was ready for it.
"It may have surprised all but Shane had told me before the match that I would have to open the ball and I was too happy to do well," he said.
Warne later said he wanted to open with Pathan to negate the stroke-making ability of Knight Riders' lethal opening pair of Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum.
"I decided to open with Pathan because I knew both Gayle and McCullum love to work on the pace of the ball," he explained.
Lavishing praise on Pathan, Warne said, "It was just great to see him walk out again and clobber those sixes."
Warne was equally effusive in his praise for Kamran Khan who bowled the 'Super Over' for the Royals.
"Kamran had bowled well earlier and even though I thought of Pathan and myself as well, I finally decided to go ahead with him and he bowled such a superb over," he said.
Knight Riders captain Brendon McCullum was dejected after losing the match even though he defended the decision to let Ajantha Mendis to bowl the 'Super Over'.
"I'm really disappointed. At a stage, we were the favourites and still we could not cross the line.
"In the 'Super Over', I did think about Ishant (Sharma) before going ahead with Mendis. But who knew things would unfold like this?" he said.
